DAFI Scholarship 2026-2027 in Rwanda for Bachelor Degree
The DAFI Scholarship Programme 2026–2027 is open for recognized refugees and asylum seekers living in Rwanda who have secured admission to an eligible university or tertiary institution in Rwanda. It can cover tuition, study materials, accommodation, food and transportation, but it does not fund master’s or PhD degrees.
This is an important distinction for applicants discovering DAFI through international scholarship pages: the programme operates in multiple countries, but each application call is country-specific. The current Rwanda call is not a scholarship for applicants living anywhere in the world. A refugee living in Kenya, Uganda, Pakistan or another country must follow the DAFI opportunity announced for that country rather than applying through Rwanda.
DAFI Rwanda Scholarship 2026–2027 at a Glance
| Category | Rwanda DAFI Scholarship Details |
|---|---|
| Eligible applicants | Recognized refugees and asylum seekers living in Rwanda |
| Study level | Bachelor’s degree or equivalent |
| Additional route | Accredited TVET or short-cycle tertiary programmes lasting at least two years |
| Master’s and PhD funding | Not available |
| Study location | A recognized institution in Rwanda |
| University admission | Required before applying |
| DAFI application fee | Free |
| IELTS requirement | Not separately required by the DAFI call |
| Application period | July 15 to August 7, 2026 |
| Priority groups | Academically strong applicants, women and persons with special educational needs |
What Does the DAFI Scholarship Cover?
DAFI can provide a broad funding package, but applicants should not assume that every recipient receives exactly the same amount or combination of benefits.
UNHCR states that support may cover:
- Tuition and other education fees
- Books and study materials
- Food or living assistance
- Accommodation
- Local transportation
- Other study-related expenses
The exact package varies by country and individual circumstances. DAFI scholars may also receive academic monitoring, mentoring, networking, language support and career-development assistance.
In Rwanda, more than 600 refugee students have already benefited from the programme. That history makes DAFI a credible higher-education route, but funding remains competitive and should not be treated as automatic simply because an applicant meets the minimum conditions.
Who Can Apply for the Rwanda DAFI Scholarship?
You can apply only if you are a recognized refugee or asylum seeker currently living in Rwanda and have proof of admission to a university or eligible institution in Rwanda.
The main requirements are:
- You must be registered as a refugee or asylum seeker in Rwanda.
- You must have a strong academic record.
- You must have received admission or formal acceptance from an institution in Rwanda.
- You must not already be receiving another higher-education scholarship.
- Only one person from the same family may apply for or receive DAFI support.
- You must not have been confirmed for departure through resettlement to a third country.
Women and applicants with special educational needs are particularly encouraged to apply. However, encouragement does not remove the need to meet the academic, legal-status and admission requirements.
Can Applicants Outside Rwanda Apply?
No. This particular call is restricted to recognized refugees and asylum seekers living in Rwanda.
DAFI is an international UNHCR programme, but it is administered through national or country operations. Applicants living outside Rwanda should check the UNHCR office or DAFI partner in their present country of asylum.
Nationality alone does not decide eligibility. For example, a Congolese, Burundian, Sudanese or other national may qualify through the Rwanda call only when that person is living in Rwanda with the required refugee or asylum-seeker registration.
Is IELTS Required for the DAFI Scholarship?
The Rwanda DAFI call does not list IELTS, TOEFL or another English-language test as a separate scholarship requirement.
However, applicants must already have been accepted by a university in Rwanda. This means the chosen institution—not DAFI—decides whether the applicant must provide IELTS, another English qualification, previous English-medium education or an internal language assessment.
Therefore:
- Do not take IELTS merely because you assume every international scholarship requires it.
- Check the admission conditions of your selected university and programme.
- Obtain the university admission letter before submitting the DAFI application.
- Upload a language certificate only when the university or application portal requests it.
An admission letter is compulsory for this Rwanda call, while an IELTS certificate is not included in UNHCR’s published DAFI document list.
Is There a DAFI Application Fee?
No. Submitting the DAFI scholarship application is free of charge.
The official DAFI application platform states that the scholarship application is free. Applicants should not pay an agent, consultant or unofficial representative to obtain the form, improve selection chances or submit the application.
The university admission process is separate. A university, examination body or document-recognition authority may have its own charges. The Rwanda call does not promise that costs paid before scholarship selection—such as university application or equivalence-processing fees—will automatically be reimbursed.
Do You Need University Admission Before Applying?
Yes. You must submit a university admission letter or other proof that you have been accepted to study in Rwanda.
DAFI does not replace the university admission process. The practical order is:
- Select an eligible bachelor’s or qualifying TVET programme in Rwanda.
- Apply directly to the institution.
- Meet its academic and language requirements.
- Obtain admission or proof of acceptance.
- Complete the separate DAFI scholarship application.
Submitting only a preferred course name, unfinished university application or statement that admission is expected may not satisfy the published requirement.
Does DAFI Fund Master’s or PhD Degrees?
No. The Rwanda DAFI Scholarship 2026–2027 does not cover master’s or PhD programmes.
Funding is intended for:
- ISCED Level 6 bachelor’s degrees or equivalent first-degree qualifications
- ISCED Level 5 short-cycle tertiary programmes
- Accredited TVET programmes lasting two years or longer and leading to a diploma or certification
Applicants already holding a bachelor’s degree and seeking postgraduate funding should explore scholarships specifically designed for master’s or doctoral studies instead.
Is There an Age Limit?
The Rwanda 2026–2027 announcement does not publish a specific maximum age.
Some DAFI calls in other countries use an age guideline, commonly around 28 years, with possible exceptions. Applicants should not automatically transfer another country’s age rule to the Rwanda competition.
Unless UNHCR Rwanda issues additional instructions, applicants should assess themselves using the conditions actually stated in the Rwanda announcement. Anyone concerned about age or interrupted education should contact the programme directly rather than abandoning the application based on an unofficial limit.
Documents Required for the DAFI Rwanda Application
Applicants must upload:
- UNHCR proof of registration
- An official or certified high-school diploma
- A university admission letter or proof of acceptance in Rwanda
- An equivalence certificate issued through the relevant education authority in the country of asylum
The equivalence certificate is particularly important for applicants whose secondary education was completed outside Rwanda. It shows how the foreign qualification compares with Rwanda’s education system.
Applicants should scan complete, readable documents. Names, dates of birth and registration details should be consistent across the UNHCR record, diploma, admission letter and online application.
How Competitive Is the Selection?
Meeting the requirements makes you eligible to compete; it does not guarantee funding.
DAFI prioritizes academic potential, but a convincing application should also demonstrate that the selected degree is realistic, that the applicant can complete it successfully and that the education will contribute to future self-reliance or community development.
Applicants should avoid treating the form as a routine document-upload exercise. Where the application asks about motivation, community participation or career plans, provide specific examples rather than general statements about wanting a better future.
Common Reasons an Application May Be Rejected
An otherwise promising applicant may be removed from consideration for:
- Applying from outside Rwanda
- Failing to provide proof of refugee or asylum-seeker registration
- Applying for a master’s or PhD programme
- Submitting no university admission letter
- Receiving another higher-education scholarship
- Having another family member applying for or receiving DAFI support
- Omitting the qualification-equivalence certificate
- Uploading unclear or uncertified documents
- Submitting after the deadline
Applicants who face internet or uploading difficulties may seek support from a Digital Career Counsellor in their camp or visit a nearby Community Centre.
Should You Apply or Skip This DAFI Scholarship?
Apply if you are a registered refugee or asylum seeker living in Rwanda, have strong secondary-school results, possess or can obtain university admission, and need assistance for a bachelor’s or eligible two-year TVET qualification.
Skip this particular call if you live outside Rwanda, are applying for postgraduate study, already hold another higher-education scholarship, lack admission to an institution in Rwanda or have confirmed third-country resettlement arrangements.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the DAFI Scholarship Programme 2026–2027 in Rwanda is August 7, 2026. Applications opened on July 15, 2026, and late submissions will not be considered.